Country overview
Food Hygiene Ratings in Northern Ireland
England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), scored from 5 (Very Good) down to 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary). Across 11 local authorities in Northern Ireland we list 16,915 food businesses, with an average rating of 4.77 out of 5.
16,915food businesses rated
84%rated 5 (Very Good)
0%rated 0 (Urgent)
11local authorities
How food hygiene ratings work in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, food businesses are inspected under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), run by the Food Standards Agency with local authorities. After an inspection a business is rated from 5 (Very Good) down to 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary), reflecting how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises and how well food safety is managed. Scotland is the exception — it uses the Pass / Improvement Required Food Hygiene Information Scheme instead.
Rating distribution across Northern Ireland
Very Good12,880
Good1,787
Generally Satisfactory578
Improvement Necessary123
Major Improvement Necessary61
Urgent Improvement Necessary0
Local authorities in Northern Ireland
| Local authority | Businesses | Rated 5 | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast City | 3,169 | 2,105 (66%) | 4.58 |
| Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | 1,884 | 1,444 (77%) | 4.78 |
| Newry, Mourne and Down | 1,719 | 1,414 (82%) | 4.85 |
| Causeway Coast and Glens | 1,459 | 1,179 (81%) | 4.83 |
| Fermanagh and Omagh | 1,444 | 1,121 (78%) | 4.78 |
| Mid Ulster | 1,361 | 1,125 (83%) | 4.84 |
| Derry City and Strabane | 1,342 | 924 (69%) | 4.7 |
| Ards and North Down | 1,273 | 946 (74%) | 4.77 |
| Mid and East Antrim | 1,162 | 937 (81%) | 4.9 |
| Antrim and Newtownabbey | 1,101 | 847 (77%) | 4.82 |
| Lisburn and Castlereagh City | 1,001 | 838 (84%) | 4.89 |